Formation prepares men for life-long Commitment as religious

In a short video entitled "The Lord Gave Me Brothers," the men in simple vows who are members Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, describe their preparations for life-long commitments as religious and  their experience of community life and how it assists them in living out their charism of constant conversion.  Watch the video featuring the reflections of these student friars here.

Consecrated life: a journey, not a destination

Although each community of consecrated life will have its own particular program by which men can join the community, the overall process is common to all institutes. First, men who are thinking about consecrated life will likely spend a period of time getting to know their community. They may then be invited to live as a candidate (or postulant) with the community for a period of six months to a year. Following this experience men may be invited to become a novice with the community. Novices spend one or two years in a process of deep discernment to discover if consecrated life in their community is right for them.

Once the novitiate is complete and with the permission of the community, the man may be invited to profess his first vows. Vows are temporary and must be renewed each year until the profession of perpetual vows. The period of temporary vows may last from three to nine years.

After perpetual profession the man is fully a member of the community. In some cases perpetual profession is followed by studies that will prepare the man for his field of ministry. Other consecrated men will begin or resume studies for ordained ministry.

Look here to watch a video "Called:  The Postulant" about Capuchin Br. M.J. Groark of the Midwest Capuchin Province of Detroit.